OXYGEN SYSTEM
OXYGEN SYSTEM – INTRODUCTION
Page 2: Oxygen Systems
The oxygen system consists of three main components:
- A system for the Flight Deck.
- A system for the cabin.
- A portable oxygen system.
Page 3: Crew and Passenger
The oxygen systems provide adequate breathing oxygen to the crew and passengers in case of depressurization.
The flight crew system also provides pure oxygen for use in the event of smoke or toxic gas.
Page 4: Location of Flight Deck Controls
The OXYGEN panel is located on the forward left side of the Flight Deck overhead panel.
Normally, the MASK MAN ON switch guard is closed (AUTO), the PASSENGER SYS ON light is out and the CREW SUPPLY
pushbutton is on.
Page 5: Crew System
The Flight Deck oxygen system is a gaseous bottle system that delivers regulated oxygen upon demand or can provide forced
oxygen. It will provide diluted oxygen upon demand up to a cabin altitude of 35,000 ft. and above this cabin altitude will force
oxygen at 100% to the crewmember.
There is also an emergency feature designed to provide forced 100% oxygen pressure flow to the crewmember upon selection
of the Emergency mode.
Page 6: Four Crew Masks
The gaseous bottle provides oxygen to the four quick donning masks in the Flight Deck.
One pilot mask and one observer mask are contained in separate stowage boxes within two covered compartments in the
console outboard of each pilot seat.
Each crew mask is equipped with a microphone but the 4th occupant has no transmitting capability.
Page 7: ECAM Page
The DOOR/OXY ECAM Page displays the unregulated oxygen bottle pressure.
This ECAM page will also provide amber indications if the system is off, or the pressure is low.
Page 8: Cabin System
The cabin oxygen system is available to all passengers and flight attendants, and is separate from the Flight Deck oxygen
system. The cabin oxygen system is a continuous flow system.
The amount of oxygen delivered to each mask is very low and is added to the ambient air that is drawn in by the user through
valves in the front of the mask.
The cabin system is designed for a depressurization event, and does not provide smoke protection.
Page 9: Canister
The cabin oxygen is supplied by chemical generators that are located throughout the cabin.
Each generator can provide oxygen for about 15 minutes to 2, 3, or 4 masks, as equipped.
The masks and associated generators are installed in containers above the passenger seats, in the lavatories, in each galley, and
at each cabin crew station.
Page 10: Passenger Diagram
Cabin oxygen is automatically presented to persons in the cabin when the cabin altitude exceeds 14,000'.
The cabin oxygen can also be manually presented by use of a switch in the Flight Deck.
Page 11: Portable Systems
The portable oxygen system is located in the left back side of the Flight Deck.
The system consists of a sealed container that contains a smoke hood.
The hood is serviceable as long as the yellow indicator on the case is not broken.
Page 12: Smoke Hood
The smoke hood is designed to protect the eyes and respiratory system of a crewmember while fighting a fire, and to provide
oxygen if the cabin loses pressure.
The smoke hood has a chemical air regeneration system. It regenerates the exhaled air of the user through the regeneration
system to make the air breathable.
Once the regeneration is activated, it provides air for at least 20 minutes.
Page 13: Summary
This completes the introduction of the oxygen system.
CABIN OXYGEN
Page 2: Introduction
Cabin Oxygen is provided by chemical generator canisters that are stored in containers along with the associated hoses and
masks. There are 2, 3, or 4 masks attached to each generator.
The presentation of the masks to the users is provided by opening the container door.
The containers are provided in the Passenger Service Units (PSUs), lavatories, and F/A stations.
Page 3: Methods to Open Container
The container door latch is normally released when electrical power is applied to the door solenoid.
Automatic door opening is initiated by a signal from an altitude sensing aneroid to all container doors.
This automatic deployment of the masks is set to operate at 14,000 ft. (+250 ft, - 750 ft) cabin altitude.
Page 4: High Altitude Option
Some aircraft have a High Altitude pb that changes the altitude for automatic mask deployment.
Selecting the HI ALT LANDING pb to ON changes the automatic mask deployment altitude from 14,000 ft. to 16,000 ft. Check
your procedures for operating into high altitude airports.
Page 5: When Solenoids are Powered
If necessary, a pilot can push the MASK MAN ON pb to manually signal the door solenoids to release.
When the door solenoids have been powered to open the doors (automatically or manually), the white SYS ON light illuminates,
and the Passenger Address system broadcasts a pre-recorded instruction of how to don the masks.
Page 6: MRT
A single container door can be manually opened by use of a Manual Release Tool.
Pushing the pin of this tool into the small hole in the door, will cause the door latch to be released.
This action may be necessary to open a door that has failed to open via the solenoid action.
Note: The SYS ON light will not illuminate if a door is opened with the MRT.
Page 7: Activate the Canister
The generator is activated by the first person to pull a mask toward their face.
Pulling the mask pulls a lanyard to a firing pin.
The firing pin snaps to activate the generator.
Page 8: 15 Minutes
When the generator is activated, pure oxygen flows from the generator through the hoses to all masks.
Once activated, the generators create oxygen for about 15 minutes.
Page 9: Ambient Air Valves
The amount of oxygen flow is very low, and a majority of the air a person breathes is drawn in through the ambient air valves
on the front of the mask.
Page 10: Hot Canister
The chemical process generates heat.
The surface temperature of a generator is extremely hot and a burning odor may be detected, along with an increase in cabin
temperature.
The generators should never be touched after they have been activated.
Page 11: Normal Procedures
The only normal procedure for this system is that during the preflight the SYS ON light is extinguished and during the cabin
preflight all container doors are verified closed.
This completes the description of the cabin oxygen system.
CREW OXYGEN
Page 2: Crew Oxygen System
The Flight Crew oxygen system provides breathing oxygen to the crew and observers in the event of loss of cabin pressure or a
smoke filled flight deck.
Quick donning masks and their regulators are located in containers as shown.
Each mask can be selected to operate in a diluter demand mode, or 100% oxygen mode.
When 100% oxygen is selected, the user is protected in the event of smoke or toxic gas.
Page 3: Oxygen Diagram
This diagram shows the components and sensor locations of the crew oxygen system.
The Oxygen Cylinder is located in the avionics compartment and the unregulated bottle pressure is displayed on the ECAM
DOOR/OXY Page.
Page 4: Green Oxygen Disc
A green oxygen disc normally covers the opening shown in the photo. Two overpressure safety systems can vent the oxygen
overboard through a safety port if the pressure gets too high. Therefore, if the cylinder experiences an overpressure condition
(most likely a thermal discharge), the green disc will be missing. During the Exterior Preflight Inspection, check the condition of
the oxygen bay door and verify that the green OXYGEN DISCHARGE overpressure disc is present.
Page 5: Pressure Regulator
A pressure regulator is connected directly to the cylinder that delivers oxygen, at a pressure suitable for the users. A supply
solenoid valve allows the crews to shut off the distribution system. The solenoid valve is controlled by the CREW SUPPLY
pushbutton. With the pushbutton OFF and the solenoid valve closed, the white OFF light in the pushbutton comes on and the
CKPT OXY label displays amber. Additionally, if less than 50 PSI is sensed in the low pressure circuit, the amber REGUL LO PR
label will display on the ECAM DOOR/OXY page.
Page 6: CREW SUPPLY pb
The CREW SUPPLY pushbutton is switched ON before flight.
This action causes the solenoid valve to open and allows oxygen to be available to the system distribution manifold. The
pushbutton OFF light goes out when the pushbutton is on. With normal pressure available, the CKPT OXY label displays white
and the amber REGUL LO PR label blanks.
You can click the CREW SUPPLY pushbutton ON or OFF and note the effect on the pushbutton, diagram, and ECAM.
Page 7: ECAM Oxy Pressure Display
The unregulated bottle pressure is normally displayed in green on the ECAM DOOR/OXY page.
With the aircraft on the ground; if the pressure is below 1000 psi, an amber half frame appears.
During preflight, this display indicates that you should consult your manual to ensure the remaining pressure is not below the
minimum required for the crew and number of observers in your flight deck.
Page 8: REGUL LO PR
If the bottle pressure is below 600 psi the pressure display pulses.
If the pressure is below 300 psi, the pressure displays in amber and the CKPT OXY label displays in amber.
This low pressure situation will cause the ECAM DOOR/OXY page to automatically appear.
Page 9: Bottle Pressure Displays
On this frame, you can press the buttons on the screen to review the indications on ECAM.
Page 10: Mask Stowage
In the Flight Deck, verify that the four oxygen masks are properly stowed.
Page 11: Oxygen Mask Container
There are a number of controls and indicators on the Stowage Box for each oxygen mask.
The pressure regulator and its controls are located on the front of the mask.
The two red grips (located on either side of the mask) are squeezed to pull the mask from the stowage box and to cause the
harness to inflate.
We’ll describe these before we continue with the preflight test of the system.
Page 12: Blinker
At the top left of the Stowage Box is a Blinker flowmeter, which is a yellow cross that appears when oxygen is flowing to the
mask.
Page 13: Reset / Test Slider
Below the flowmeter is the RESET/TEST switch.
This switch allows the crewmember to test the oxygen mask without removing it from the stowage box.
Now we show the specific items that are tested when you press this switch...
Page 14: Reset Control Slide
Pulling the mask from the stowage box initiates the flow of oxygen and activates the mask microphone.
After a mask has been used, you must press the RESET/TEST switch to shut off the oxygen flow and to disable the mask
microphone. If the stowage box left door is closed (when the oxygen is flowing to the mask), an OXY ON flag will appear,
because the mask is still provided with oxygen.
Page 15: Emergency Pressure Selector
The pressure regulator and its controls are located on front of the mask. There is an emergency pressure selector located at the
bottom of the pressure regulator. Pushing the selector will generate a momentary overpressure condition. This feature can be
used to clear the goggles of smoke by causing a forced oxygen flow. Turning the selector knob clockwise, in the direction of the
arrow, will lock the overpressure condition to supply forced oxygen continuously. NOTE: If cabin altitude exceeds 30,000 feet,
overpressure supply is automatically started.
Page 16: Normal / 100% Selector
There is a Normal/100% selector located on the upper left of the pressure regulator.
Pushing it down will cause the mask to deliver 100% oxygen. This is the position for dispatch.
Pull the selector up to return it to the NORMAL position, which provides a mixture of ambient air and oxygen. In Normal, the
air/oxygen percentage varies with cabin altitude. Above 35,000 feet cabin altitude, the user will breathe 100% oxygen at forced
supply, regardless of the switch position.
Page 17: Pull Mask from Container
To don the crew oxygen mask, you must squeeze the two red grips to inflate the harness while you pull the mask assembly from
the stowage box.
Squeezing the grips (specifically the right side grip) causes oxygen flow to inflate the harness.
Page 18: Don the Mask
While squeezing the grips, place the mask assembly over your head and use a sweeping motion to pull the mask down over
your nose and mouth. As long as the red grips remain squeezed the harness remains inflated. When the mask is in the desired
position, release the grips. When the grips are released, the harness deflates to tighten around your head and the mask will seal
to your nose and mouth. Further adjustment can be made by squeezing the grips to inflate the harness, reposition the mask for
a better fit and then release the grips when the mask is in position.
Page 19: Visor Protection Strips
As shown here, some masks have a removable protective plastic strip.
The strip must be removed for proper vision during use.
Page 20: Crew Supply Switch
We now describe the normal procedures prior to flight.
If the system is turned off when you arrive in the cockpit, the white OFF light will be illuminated on the crew supply pushbutton,
and oxygen is not supplied to the mask regulators.
Pressing this pushbutton will extinguish the light and open the solenoid valve to allow oxygen to flow to the masks.
You should confirm the indications on the ECAM DOOR/OXY page.
Page 21: Mask Test 1
The masks must be tested prior to flight and remain in the stowage box during the test.
During the oxygen mask test, you can also test the mask microphone by listening for the oxygen flow sound in the mask. To set
this up;
1) Turn on the loudspeakers on the glareshield, and 2) on the audio control panel, press out and adjust the INT reception knob
for the desired volume, and 3) select the INT/RAD switch to INT.
These actions will deliver the oxygen flow sound over the cockpit interphone when you test the mask.
Page 22: Mask Test 2
Now, press and hold the RESET/TEST switch. The flow blinker shows yellow for a short time, and then shows black. You should
hear the oxygen flow sound while the blinker is yellow.
While holding the RESET/TEST switch, also press the Emergency Pressure Selector.
The blinker should display yellow and oxygen flow should be heard as long as the Emergency Pressure Selector is pressed.
Page 23: Mask Test 2
Release the Emergency Pressure Selector and RESET/TEST switch and ensure they return to their normal positions. The blinker
should blank and the sounds should stop.
Page 24: Mask Test 2
Verify that the Normal/100% selector is in the 100% position. Now press the Emergency Pressure Selector by itself and verify
that the flow blinker does not display yellow. After all masks have been checked, verify that the REGUL LO PR message is not
displayed on the ECAM DOOR/OXY page. The absence of this message ensures that the solenoid valve is open. because the lines
remain pressurized after the test. This completes our description of flight crew oxygen.
